Thursday, 29 March 2018

VGAFH 40

Have a Happy Easter! 
Thanks again Sekirei!
40. Detestable Mrs Zhao
Lian Fang Zhou just smiled and looked at Aunt Zhang and Uncle Li.
Seeing how enthusiastic her daughter-in-law was, Aunt Zhang knew no matter what she says, she won't listen. So turned toward Lian Fang Zhou, and said: "If it doesn't trouble you then--"
"How could it be trouble? I'm eager for Saozi to be my companion!" Not waiting for Aunt Zhang to finish, Lian Fang Zhou smiled as she cut her off.
She followed up: "However, everyone knows that Mount Xian Teng isn't like ordinary woods. To be honest, Ah Ze and I don't dare to go to many places or too deep into the mountain. So Saozi, you also need to be careful as well."
Actually Mrs Zhao isn't a bad person, she just loves money too much. Lian Fang Zhou is afraid that when the come, she will recklessly wander off while collecting mushrooms. Since she is an adult, she can't really control her, and cannot be blamed if an accident happens. But it will be still attributed to her, because she led Mrs. Zhao to Mount Xian Teng.
And later it would be awkward for the two families to meet.
It's better to sternly warn before that happens.
"What you said is extremely right!" Aunt Zhang nodded vigorously. She instructed Mrs Zhao: "Fang Zhou is more familiar with the area then you are. So you better listen to her. Don't wander recklessly! Or else if something happens, not only you would suffer, you would also implicate others!"
Lian Fang Zhou rushed to say that she is too young to be a leader, but Mrs Zhao immediately accepted---actually, in her heart, she protested: I'm an adult, how could I not know how to act sensible?
Mrs Zhao thought for a moment then pulled Li Juan over and turned toward Aunt Zhang:
"Mother, how about letting little sis come with us as well! Fang Zhou and her are around the same age, they will have a great time talking with each other!"
Li Juan indeed wanted to go, so she smiled at Lian Fang Zhou and supported that idea.
Aunt Zhang was vexed that Mrs Zhao has no good sense when to stop. She didn't want to agree, but she relented seeing her daughter's determination.
"Then it's agreed like this. No need to go really early tomorrow. Just after breakfast is fine! If there's nothing else, I'll go back now!" Lian Fang Zhou said as she stood up and left with the bag of chinese milk vetch seed in her hands.
Aunt Zhang and Uncle Li told her goodbye adding 'be careful tomorrow'.
"I'll send you off!" Mrs Zhao very politely said with a smile.
This actually happened for the first time ever! Lian Fang Zhou politely declined, but Mrs Zhao grabbed her arm ignoring her protest.
Lian Fang Zhou could only smile.
Mrs Zhao walked with her to the door and and said suddenly: "Oh that's right! Don't tell anyone about our outing! If a lot of people know, it'll be a small problem if we can't collect a lot. Even worse if something happens and they blame us!"
Lian Fang Zhou realised that Mrs Zhao most likely sent her off just to say that to her.
She would not tell others anyway so she agreed: "I won't."
Only like this, could Mrs Zhao feel at ease and watch her leave.
Third Aunt saw a bag that Lian Fang Zhou's brought with her and immediately asked: "What's that?"
"Chinese milk vetch seed. It's used as green manure." Lian Fang Zhou calmly replied.
Hearing this, Third Aunt lost her interest. She curled her lips as her expression become scornful and quietly grumble: " Half a catty of pork in exchange for this..."
Lian Fang Zhou ignored that and called out Lian Che and Lian Fang Qing to bathe and go to sleep.
She also enquired with the guy about his injuries. The guy just grinned: "It's no problem. Just superficial wounds."
Seeing that his face and spirit seem fine, her worries were gone. So she let Lian Ze take him to their nook to sleep. [Editor note to be rejected: poor guy, nobody helps him bathe, heartless, Fang Zhou!]
Early the next day, Lian Fang Zhou, Lian Ze, Mrs Zhao and Li Juan made their way to Mount Xian Teng.
Right after they arrived Mrs Zhao and Li Juan were a bit scared but gradually their fear went away.
Whenever Lian Fang Zhou chanced upon mushrooms, she would carefully tell them what kind it is and if it suitable for picking.
Collecting mushrooms is completely different from cutting firewood.
You need to wander around widely [they avoid dangerous parts!] when picking mushrooms. One has to be perceptive, but also lucky.
Originally with just Lian Fang Zhou and Lian Ze, it was more convenient. But now there's two more of them. Aftering walking for good while, they would only find one meager cluster. That's when it's hard to split.
And also Mrs Zhao is a greedy person. Everytime they come across mushrooms, she rushes over to be the first to reach them. With an expression 'this is mine', she asks Lian Fang Zhou: "Can one pick them?"
Lian Fang Zhou wouldn't selfishly hide from her, but if this keeps up, even with full day effort, she and Lian Ze won't be able to gather much.
After thinking about it,Lian Fang Zhou then spoke out: "It isn't really convenient for the four of us so far. How about this? Saozi and Ah Juan come with me and Ah Ze goes gather by himself. Let's agree on a time to meet and not be late."
Lian Ze is a male, even though he's young, he should manage alone.
Lian Ze wanted to walk off long time ago. Honestly he doesn't like Mrs Zhao. Before Mrs Zhao gave them a lot of frowns and cold eyes. He knows very well why she came with them today.
Li Juan also felt Sister-in-law's actions are very embarrassing. Hearing Lian Fang Zhou say this, she agreed. However Mrs Zhao doesn't.
Internally Mrs Zhao believes Lian Fang Zhou is taking them to wander around the mountain, while letting Lian Ze pick up the valuable one.
"It isn't such a good idea. Won't Ah Ze become lonely? How about this, Fang Zhou, you and Ah Juan go together and I go with Lian Ze!" Mrs Zhao smiled slyly.
Lian Ze's face immediately darkened a lot hearing this. Did he hear it wrong? Mrs Zhao actually want to go with him?
Lian Fang Zhou froze. Now thinking about it, could only do this. It's better than letting Li Juan going with Lian Ze.
"Then... it's alright!" Lian Fang Zhou nodded. Then turned to Lian Ze with a smile and said: "Ah Ze, you look after Saozi Zhao. And also don't be greedy and go far. Make sure to come back in time!"
Lian Ze helplessly look at Lian Fang Zhou. It's hard to refuse sister's words, so he could only glumly agree.
"Alright, let's go then! We should move while it's early, this way we can gather more!" Mrs Zhao grinned happily at Lian Ze.
"Sister, be careful!" Lian Ze said to Lian Fang Zhou as he waved goodbye and left with Mrs Zhao.
"We should also go then!" Lian Fang Zhou smiled at Li Juan after seeing them leave.
"Ok," Li Juan nodded and shot her an embarrassed smile. Honestly, Sister-in-law is--, but she couldn't apologize for her--it is not for her to say it!
While Lian Fang Zhou just laugh it off and pressed her hand to show it's fine.
The two of them exchanged glances and bursted with laughter. In that moment they felt a lot closer.
When the time to meet arrived, Lian Fang Zhou and Li Juan came out first. Not long later, Mrs Zhao and Lian Ze also came.
"Oh, it's time to go back already? From what I see, it's still early!" Mrs Zhao laughed out.
Lian Fang Zhou replied: "Saozi, you should be very clear that it gets dark faster in the mountain forest. If we don't leave now, there's a chance we'll bump into ferocious beasts looking for prey. Then it's hard to handle!"
"That's right Sister-in-law! And the road back is still long!" Li Juan followed up.
Mrs Zhao saw that her sister-in-law also spoke out, there's nothing else she could say. So she purposely glance at Li Juan's sack and Lian Fang Zhou's. With a laugh, she purposely lightly pointed out: "Ah Juan is new to this and she picked very little! Compare to Lian Fang Zhou, it's a lot less!"
The underlying meaning is very clear: Lian Fang Zhou didn't take care of Li Juan! Clearly, she took advantage of her!

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Wednesday, 14 March 2018

VGAFH 39

Early Paddy's Day Greeting ^-^
Another good job done by Sekirei. Editing is so not my expertise >.< So many thanks Sekirei!

39.Let me join you!

Aunt Zhang pulled together her brows slightly. In front of Lian Fang Zhou and her son, she wouldn't tell her daughter-in-law off. So she turned to Lian Fang Zhou, complained: "Really Fang Zhou! Why buy this much meat? Even if you have money, don't spend it like this! If you bought rice and threw some sweet potato in, it would last a while."
Lian Fang Zhou said with a chuckle: "I knew Aunt would say this! You should let me explain first! The money I used to buy meat, came from seling the mushrooms Ah Ze and I gathered few days back. The young ones are still growing, so they have to eat properly, and that means meat at least occasionally! I also thought of how Aunt and Uncle Li always help us. So naturally I can't forget your share. Otherwise, we'll have no peace of mind when eating!”
Lian Fang Zhou's words made everyone smile.
Uncle Li grinned: "Fang Zhou is getting more and more of a smooth talker! You really don't need to do this. We are all neighbors. It's just a matter of lending a hand, so don't need to take it into heart!"
"That's right!" Aunt Zhang gave her a scolding smile, but she didn't blame her.
Lian Fang Zhou grinned and took out an bundle from her sleeves and uncovered it. She gave the two velvet flowers to Mrs Zhao and Li Juan and happily explained: “When I bought one for my Qing er, I also bought these for Sao-zi and Ah Juan. It’s just something inexpensive, hope Sao-zi and Ah Juan like it!"
How could women, especially young women, not love pretty dress accessories like flowers? Both Mrs Zhao and Li Juan cried out in delight and compared how they looked. Clearly they loved it as they grinned from ear to ear as they endlessly thanked Fang Zhou.
Aunt Zhang saw that her daughter-in-law and daughter were so happy, so she really couldn't say anything except helplessly staring at Lian Fang Zhou as she shook her head.
For a while, everyone chattered and then Lian Fang Zhou asked with a smile: "Oh yes, I wonder why Aunt Zhang called for me—"
Aunt Zhang immediately remembered and laughed: “God, my memory! I was so focused on small talk that I forgot about the important matter! It's like this, you don't have any livestock at your place and no manure for next year. The crops won't grow in a field with no manure! We just happened to get ten catties of Chinese milk vetch seeds. If you want, I'll give six or seven catties, spread it around the fields in the next few days. Wait until early spring, it'll be good to use as green manure!"
After the Chinese milk vetch seeds are sowed, in the spring they grow knee high and bloom with small pinkish purple flowers. When it's time to plough the fields, just plough directly and plunge them into the soil. They are good fertilizer so it's called green manure.
Lian Fang Zhou was aware of this. She has also been seen it in rural areas in modern times. But she did not expect this method to be used in this era.
She nodded and said: "Uncle Li and Aunt have thought of everything. But if the leftover isn't enough, then don't worry about giving me less!"
“We don't have many fields, so the leftover is enough for us! I have already packed the seeds for you. You can take them now! If the weather is good these few days, you can sow them.” Aunt Zhang explained.
“Fang Zhou, wait a sec. I'll get it for you now!” Mrs. Zhao told Lian Fang Zhou and went to the pantry.
Lian Fang Zhou agreed.
In a moment Mrs Zhao came back with a small bag and handed it to Lian Fang Zhou: "Take it!"
Lian Fang Zhou took the bag, thanked and started to leave but Mrs Zhao curiously asked: "Fang Zhou, just now you said today you guys sold mushrooms. How much did you get for them?"
Since she was asked directly, of course Lian Fang Zhou had to answer. So she replied: "Altogether there was around three sacks of dried mushrooms and we got four liang--"
"What! So much!" Mrs Zhao cried out. Her face full of disbelief, surprise, and even envy.
Not just her, even Uncle Li, Aunt Zhang, Li San Ge and Li Juan were stunned as well.
Seeing them like this, Lian Fang Zhou felt a bit embarrassed.
"Fang Zhou, is, this true?" Aunt Zhang stammered out.
Four silver liang! This is half a year of household expenses and it was inconceivable that it was earned in mere few days.
"Those mushrooms, are they really worth that much?" Mrs Zhao couldn't help glance over at the basket that Lian Fang Zhou sent. She immediately felt pain: Those are money, it would be regrettable to eat them!
Lian Fang Zhou smiled and described their mushroom enterprise.
Hearing it, Aunt Zhang's expression changed: "You siblings dare go to Mount Xian Teng ? Really---sigh!"
Mrs Zhao unhappily commented: "Mother, if I knew that we could earn this much money, I would also go! What is there to be afraid of? Having too money will bite our hands?"
"What are you saying!" Aunt Zhang gave Mrs Zhao a dirty look.
But Mrs Zhao did not care. She intimately looked over at Lian Fang Zhou, asking: "Fang Zhou, are you guys still going to forage mushrooms? If you go, take me as well! If something happen, having one more person there would help, right?"
Once Mrs Zhao thought of the idea, she immediately imagined her share of the reward.
In the same time, by herself she couldn't differentiate between edible and poisonous mushrooms. So she could sell poisonous ones and get into a lot of trouble. So it's safer to go with Lian Fang Zhou.
Lian Fang Zhou sheepishly look at Aunt Zhang and said: "I know that you and Uncle Li treat us siblings well. Originally I didn't want to hid this matter from you, but I was afraid you won't agreed if you knew. So I--"
She said it quietly and all in one breath: "Aunt Zhang, don't worry! I have self-control, so I won't act recklessly!  Ah Ze and the others are still young and it's their growing stage. It's not enough to eat rice only. It goes without saying, I need to think of other ideas!"
Listening to this, Uncle Li sighed and then spoke: "It was difficult for you! In the future, they will definitely treat you well, since you are thinking for their better."
Aunt Zhang also sighed: "Nevermind! Since you said it like this, what else could I say? It's just that you need to be more careful. That mountain has hundreds types of mushrooms and many are poisonous. So those you never seen before, don't pick it! And also the places where mushrooms cluster, be careful when picking. The woods have different types of poisonous snakes and insects. If there are trails of something passing, remember to leave it! It's better that nothing happen. By chance something happen, it'll be a matter of life and death!"
Hearing this, Lian Fang Zhou felt scared. She hurriedly said: "Fang Zhou accepts your teaching. Thank you Aunt for your advice!"
Aunt Zhang smiled and no longer spoke.
Mrs Zhao burst out asking: "Fang Zhou, are you still going? Tomorrow? The day after? Or some other time..."
Mount Xian Teng's boundaries is extremely wide, so one more person doesn't hinder anyone-- even if the boundary isn't wide, Lian Fang Zhou would still take Li Family's person with them.
So she immediately nodded her head: "Ah Ze and I were planning to go tomorrow!"
She didn't say anything about inviting Mrs Zhao because Aunt Zhang doesn't really approve this matter but the intention was clear.
Mrs Zhao's eyes brightened and she couldn't help step forward and grab Lian Fang Zhou's arm: "Fang Zhou, can I come with you tomorrow? Even though I don't know anything but I can rely on you! I don't ask for much. Just want a chance to earn some pocket money and I'll be satisfied."

Sao-zi means sister-in-law, just a way to call someone elder and familiar with’s wife, not really their elder brother’s wife.
2 comments:

Wednesday, 7 March 2018

VGAFH 38

Could have finished this earlier during my spring break. Was stuck abroad without laptop, as I originally planned for 3 day trip to denmark and was extended til 6 days due to Storm Emma in Ireland. T.T 

 Thanks for your hardwork Sekirei!


38.Sending some over to Aunt Zhang's place

She didn't want Third Aunt to see her embarrassment, so she purposely looked over at Third Aunt calmly with a tranquil smile. Lian Fang Zhou admired herself for being able to smile without a trace of guilt! Afterwards, she stopped her gaze, picked up her chopsticks and calmly ate.
Her method had really worked. Third Aunt paused and blinked. She felt a bit suspicious that there was something wrong with her eyes a moment ago.

"Third Aunt, did you catch a chill?" Lian Fang Qing couldn't help but asked.

Hearing this, both Lian Ze and Lian Che looked at Third Aunt, with a hint of care in their eyes.

Lian Fang Zhou secretly sigh out a breath of relief. Luckily only Third Aunt saw her distraction.

So she became even calmer.

"I haven't. It's just that, I choked a bit!" Third Aunt gave a reluctant smile as she gave an excuse.

"Oh!" Lian Fang Qing replied and dropped the topic, focusing on her bowl as she sipped her soup.

Hearing this, Lian Fang Zhou laughed on the inside.

After dinner like normal routine, Third Aunt tidied up and went to the kitchen to wash dishes. Lian Fang Zhou turned to Lian Ze: "Go find some of our dad's clothes for him to change. Let him wash himself and take off the dirtied clothes!"

And she also turned to grin to the man: "It's old clothes, please don't reject! You have to clean those wounds as you bathe so they will not fester. Tomorrow I'll go to the village and ask for a bit medicinal alcohol from someone. So tonight you'll have to suffer a bit!"

Lian Ze eagerly agreed and went off.

That man shook his head, grinned: "Actually ... these injuries aren't that serious. It'll get better by itself in few days."

Full with shame, he thought: "If it wasn't because I haven't eaten anything recently, I wouldn't be so useless."

His hair has been slightly tidied up, while his beard was still a lot like bird nests. His smiles were showing rows of neat white teeth.

Lian Fang Zhou politely invited him to sit. With a smile, she asked: "Oh yes, I have not asked for your name yet! Where do you live?"

Hearing this, the man couldn't help paused a bit. His expression immediately became low-spirited, and seems to give a low sigh.

Lian Fang Zhou also halted, then smiled again: "If you have some difficulties that you do not want explain, then forget it. It doesn't matter!"

If there's really difficulties that he has to hide, most likely it is some troublesome matter. Lian Fang Zhou rather not know anything about it. Avoid attracting trouble out of nowhere!

She has three siblings to raise and she must work hard herself to survive in this poor environment. So she doesn't' feel like she got the qualifications to intervene in other people's troubles.

If this matter is troublesome for him, even if he has such good skills, can't imagine what it would be like to Lian family.

"Not like that!" The man quickly denied. He scratched his head, and with an embarrassed look: "Miss, you misunderstood. I don't hide any difficulties, but actually, I lost my memories!"

"What!" Lian Fang Zhou's eyes widened in amazement: is this the legendary amnesia?

With a wry smile, he said: "When I woke up I was on a riverbank. And unknowingly wandered into Yuhe County. It was like this til I met you today... No matter how much I try, I still can't remember who I am, where I am from, or what has happened to me in the past!"

Lian Fang Zhou suddenly didn't know what to say. In her heart, she couldn't help feel sympathetic toward him.

The man thought for a moment, then gave a faint smile. Feeling somewhat self-deprecating, he said: "I came to Yuhe County with a group of migrants. Maybe - like them, my home was destroyed by floods!"

For a moment, Lian Fang Zhou didn't know what to say. With a laugh, she spoke: "I was in the wrong. I should not have brought it up! Please feel at ease in our home, as you nurse your wounds. No need to overthink!"

The man nodded his head.Understanding what Lian Fang Zhou meant, he immediately said: "After... After two days, I will leave."

Lian Fang Zhou's cheeks heated up and felt a bit embarrassed as he was very tactful and said it so straightforward. She grinned: " I didn't mean it like this, I..."

Suddenly the man looked up and smiled at her, as if he understood even without her speaking out. And he didn't blame her either.

Lian Fang Zhou felt even more terrible. No matter what, he did save the three of them right? Pushing him to leave is certainly hurtful.

She was at loss what to say. Luckily Lian Ze found the clothes and came back. So Lian Fang Zhou rushed Lian Ze to take him to wash himself.

She let out a sigh of relief when she saw them leave.

"Sister, sister!" At this time, Lian Che ran over and said: "Aunt Zhang asked when did you come back? And also told you to visit her house!"

"Oops," Lian Fang Zhou slapped her forehead and spoke with some chagrin: "How could I forget about Aunt Zhang! Silly me! Ah Che, why didn't you remind Sister earlier!"

"I forgot!" Lian Che rubbed his head and stuck his tongue out.

Lian Fang Zhou smiled and told him to go play on his own. She then got up and grabbed two velvet flowers and wrapped them in paper. Afterward filled a basket half full of the dried mushrooms she had stored for themselves. Then went to the kitchen and cut out about half a pound of pork.

Thus she prepared a gift for Aunt Zhang and her family. The two velvet flowers were for Mrs Zhao and Li Juan.

When Lian Fang Zhou was cutting the pork, Third Aunt had just finished washing the dishes. She had yet to leave the kitchen, when she saw her (Fang Zhou) cut the meat. Her eyes were staring straight at her and asked: "What are you doing?"

Lian Fang Zhou glanced at her and indifferently said: "I'm cutting a piece to send over to Aunt Zhang's. Should have send some long ago. Just that when we came back, I was busy and forgot to give it!"

"What!" Third Aunt immediately exclaimed. She felt hurt as if the meat was cut by Lian Fang Zhou from her own body.

Furiously, she stepped forward, said: "Are you crazy or stupid?! There's not enough to eat at home, and you actually want gift to other people for free!"

Lian Fang Zhou halted the kitchen knife and looked up at her. With some helplessness, she said: "Third Aunt, as a human person, first we must live with our conscience, and secondly, think of the long term! Aunt Zhang and Uncle Li have helped us a lot. When they got something, they are willing to share with us. So there is no reason why we shouldn't share with them! Moreover, the future road is still long. We don't have any grown men supporting our family, so we'll have to trouble them with a lot of matters. Got to show some gratitude or else how our conscience will be at ease? "

Third Aunt knew that she was telling the truth, and didn't argue back for a moment.

However, her heart still ached, so she continued: "Even if you want to show gratitude, you don't have to this generous! Do you not feel pain cutting off this piece of pork ah?"

"I don't!" Lian Fang Zhou simply straightforwardly answered her back. She had finished cutting as she talked.

She placed that cut of meat into a bowl and grinned at Third Aunt. "I'll make a trip over now, so I'll have to trouble Third Aunt to store the rest!"

Without waiting for her to continue fussing, she went straight out.

"You -" Third Aunt angrily glared, as she couldn't do anything else.

With a distressed heart, she carefully packed the rest of the meat as she unhappily grumbled: "Acting so generous, she got no sense of living. There is not enough gold mountain for you to spend, prodigal ... ... if I was the head, it certainly would not be like this ... ..."

When Lian Fang Zhou arrived at Aunt Zhang's home, Aunt Zhang's family had already had dinner.

"I came over because I just heard from Che er that Aunt was looking for me! I should have came over earlier, but I had completely forgotten about it!"

Lian Fang Zhou smiled to Aunt Zhang and Uncle Li. After greeting them, she put down the gift basket and continued: "Few days back, Ah Ze and I picked these mushrooms. All are good ones, so rest assured aunt and uncle, you can eat them. Today I cut a piece of meat. I hope that aunt will make a scrumptious meal, so please don't disdain that there's so little!"

The mushroom were fine but seeing that the piece of meat was around half a catty, Aunt Zhang, Uncle Li, their son and daughter-in-law were shocked.

Mrs Zhao was so happy that her heart was blooming. She could not help but reach out as she laughed: "Oh,Fang Zhou, you're so kind-hearted. How could we accept!"

Even as she said it, she did not return the gift
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